The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Motloheloa Phooko expressed pleasure that the ongoing meeting has confirmed the need for drastic measures for confronting the issue of Human Resource development and management.

The minister, said this at the end of the 3rd annual joint health sector review meeting between the ministry of health and social welfare, and its development partners, which ended at Maseru Sun on Thursday 14 November,2002 He said facility and equipment provision and maintenance, are keys to the successful achievement of priority objectives. He said, over the past three years, participants have reminded themselves
of the challenges that they face and the opportunities that exist, adding that the frustrations that were expressed through some presentation demand concerted efforts of all seated at the forefront of change.

Dr. Phooko welcomed the pledge from the cooperating partners to support Health's endevour to facilitate better implementation at district level by taking the money, where it is mostly needed. He pointed out that one of the issues that emanated from the deliberations is that a lot can still be achieved with the existing capacity, "If only all
can assume a more positive approach to dealing with the challenges facing
the sector". 

He confirmed and declared support over the commitment made by the ministry to follow up on the outstanding issues highlighted during the meeting, saying that all that is left is to assume duties with renewed vigour since there is all that takes to bring about the necessary change. He thanked the cooperating partners for assisting in health reform adding that it is a demonstration of clear partnership which is necessary if all
challenges facing the health sector are to be overcomed.

Speaking on behalf of Development partners, Attaché Development of the Ireland Aid, Miss Carol Hannon commended the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for the effort put into the preparation and implementation of the joint review. She recognized the progress made since last year in the way in which the Poverty Reduction Paper Strategy (PRSP) is addressing health, with particular impact of HIV/AIDS on poverty reduction, social welfare and equitable access to social justice.

She further mentioned that the quality of the agenda, preparation and discussion this year raises the standards of the annual review, adding that all expect to continually raise the standard of the review each year. She said, to this extend, development partners suggest that a challenge for next year's review is to report that all stated objectives have been achieved. The meeting was attended by staff of the Ministry of Health, Development partners such as Ireland Aid, World Bank, European Union,
African Development Bank, UNICEF and World Health Organization, Christian
Health Association of Lesotho and the District representatives from sister
agencies.

14 November,2002